I think its a cool idea. I always thought shadowboxes looked pretty kick ass, and they make a nice display that would certainly be appropriate for home or office. I imagine your wife's problem is that she thinks it looks tacky, a shadowbox might be a solution.

A couple of years ago I gave my dad a flagpole for his birthday, I wish I hadn't because he puts all sorts of weird shit on it like Bonnie Blue and "Club Gitmo" flags and I'm sure everyone in the neighborhood thinks they are a bunch of weirdos.